Following the devastating partial collapse of a six-story apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, which claimed three lives and displaced dozens, the city has initiated an investigation. Two firms, White Birch Group, LLC, and SOCOTEC Engineering, have been appointed to conduct a thorough analysis of the incident's cause and origin. The findings of this report will be made public when deemed appropriate by city officials.
The May 28th collapse of the 116-year-old building has raised serious questions about its structural integrity and the circumstances leading to the tragedy. City documents reveal a history of concerns raised by structural engineers, masons, city inspectors, and tenants alike, spanning several months prior to the incident.
One resident, Shauna Dixon, documented her observations in April, noting a bowing wall, a separating window frame, and an uneven floor. Expressing concerns about her safety to her leasing agent, Dixon ultimately secured a transfer to a different building across the street just weeks before the catastrophic collapse.
Demolition work, which commenced on Monday, is progressing at the site of the collapsed building. The complete removal of debris and hazardous materials, including asbestos, is expected to take several weeks due to the proximity of other structures. The presence of asbestos has led to the complete evacuation of at least one adjacent building, the same building Dixon had relocated to.
Several lawsuits have been filed against the city and the building's owner, Andrew Wold, alleging negligence and disregard for resident safety. Wold recently pleaded guilty to a civil infraction for failing to maintain safe conditions at the property, resulting in a fine.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the ongoing demolition efforts have faced resistance from residents seeking to preserve evidence for the pending lawsuits. Meanwhile, the city is also investigating the actions of fire and inspection officials who visited the building the day before the collapse in response to concerns raised by a contractor. Initial reports indicate that inspectors found no visible signs of structural issues during their visit.
